Manchester to Blackpool Night Ride - Thank you

When:
Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 October 2018

Where:
From Manchester to Blackpool

What's it all about?

Make 2018 the year you do something different, something you'll never forget.

At midnight you’ll set off from the iconic Intu Trafford Centre and take on a 52 mile Lancashire route, heading for the glow of the Blackpool sea front, where the world famous illuminations will be switched on exclusively to welcome you across the finish line. While others are tucked up in bed, you'll be putting your mental and physical endurance levels to the test on this unforgettable challenge. It'll be hard work but as you cycle up Blackpool Promenade, under the dazzling lights and cross the finish line in time to watch the sunrise over the sea, safe in the knowledge you've just completed a tough challenge in order to help save lives, it will all feel worth it.

Manchester to Blackpool Night Ride - Sign up

Sign up today for this unique challenge, and enjoy an exclusive early bird discount on your entry fee.

All participants must have a working light on the front and back of your bike. This is the law and you will not be allowed to take part without them. You must also wear a helmet in order to take part.

Your entry fee covers the cost of organising the event but it's the money you raise that powers our life saving research. We are therefore asking all participants at this year's event to try and raise at least £100.

Transport

Due to a lack of public transport around the times of this event, we'll be running travel services - bringing participants and their bikes from Blackpool to Manchester both before and after the ride. Tickets are not yet on sale, but keep an eye on the Location and Travel Tab for more information.

By car

The Trafford Centre is a few minutes from the M60, so it’s easy to reach by car. Please access the area via Junction 9 of the M60 as access from Junction 10 will be restricted.

There are no planned road closures at the Trafford Centre, nor any transport restrictions. All vehicles will be permitted on Barton Dock Road, so please take care when arriving. Parking at the Trafford Centre is free, simply follow the event car park signs and the stewards instructions upon arrival.

The finish

Blackpool Promenade,
Comedy Carpet,
Blackpool,
Lancashire,
FY1 1AP

For the first time ever we have hired the Tower Ballroom for a dazzling indoor finish area. Once you have crossed the finish line, check out the famous ballroom while you have some well-deserved food!

Travelling from the finish line

By train

Blackpool North is a mile away from the finish line. Remember you will be finishing in the early hours on a Sunday and not all trains will be running. Please check National Rail before planning your journey.

Use your pedal power to save lives

Heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer. It strikes, often without warning, tearing loved ones away, sometimes without even a chance to say goodbye. This has got to stop. Through funding pioneering heart research, we are determined to put an end to the devastation heart disease causes. But we need your help to make that goal a reality. We rely on your fundraising to keep up our work - your registration fee only helps to cover the cost of putting the event on - so please raise what you can, to help us keep more families together for longer.

Reach your fundraising target

The easiest way to get sponsored is by setting up an online fundraising page. It only takes a couple of minutes to set up and you can then easily share a link to your page on Facebook, Twitter and by email so your family and friends can show their support for the amazing challenge you've set yourself. Make sure you keep it up to date too, share your story - tell people why you're taking part, how you've found your training and how you're feeling ahead of the big day. Make your supporters feel like they're a part of your experience - it could make all the difference to your total.

We've also put together a short guide to help you make the most of your page.

It's not all about online donations either, there are lots of other ways of getting the money rolling in, and having a great time while you're at it - check out our fundraising hints and tips for some other ideas to help you smash your target, and there's also a fantastic range of fundraising resources available for you too.

Get fit for your challenge

A 52 mile bike ride is not to be sniffed at - you'll need to be prepared for the challenge. For some help planning your training, check out the information available in our cycling training zone. On top of this we would also recommend incorporating some night time exercise into your training plan.

Get kitted up

Show the world you've joined the Heart Riders team and treat yourself to some new kit from our online cycling shop. Whether you're after something to wear on your training rides or on the day itself, an accessory you need or a gift for a loved one - start browsing and find something for you today. And with all proceeds going towards our life saving heart research, it gives the term guilt free shopping a whole new meaning!

Please remember you must wear a helmet when taking part in this event, and you must have a working light on the front and back of your bike. This is the law and you will not be allowed to take part without them. We also recommend wearing high visibility clothing on the night.

You'll receive your participant number in the post just before the event.

You're a Heart Rider - spread the word

Signing up for this challenge is no mean feat and we want you to tell all your friends and family just what you're doing and why. To help you spread the word we've created a range of social media profile pictures for you to use. Choose your favourite, upload it and start telling everyone what it means to be a Heart Rider. Don't forget to include a link to your JustGiving page.

Get your family and friends involved

Our events cannot happen without the help of our fantastic volunteers. If you would like to help out in the lead up to this event or on event day then please get in touch with us and we will send you more information.

You don't need to check in at the start, so if you have everything you need, we recommend arriving no earlier than 23:30.

At the start of the event, you'll be released in controlled waves of cyclists. There are no allocated start times.

At the start you'll find:

Toilets

Refreshment - Costa Coffee will be open late especially for the event

Mechanic

Information point (for any last minute problems)

If you have not reached the finish by the cut off time, you will be collected and driven to Blackpool. This is for your safety as you will no longer be supported on the route by our marshals, medical provider and signage may also have been taken down after this point.

The route

This event is ideal for keen cyclists looking for their next adventure to be something different. However, the 52 mile distance and world class support on offer make this an achievable challenge for less experienced cyclists, with the right training.

The event does take place on open roads, some of which are well known in the area. However, the time of night means there are very few vehicles out making these roads much quieter than normal.

This event is not a race, so please remember to take your time, have fun and soak up the inspirational atmosphere that this ride is so well known for.

What support is available?

The whole route will be fully signposted before the event starts, there will be friendly marshals at lots of key junctions and we have sweeper vehicles who stay behind the last riders, making sure that no-one is left behind. We will also give you access to a ride control number in case you have any problems on the course throughout the night.

Throughout the event you will have access to a first aid team, a bike mechanic, toilets and water. There will be designated rest stops where you can get refreshments and snacks. Caterers will be available at the start and finish.

If at any point in the ride, you feel like you can’t continue, we will also have support vehicles that can collect you and take you to the finish site.
Closer to the event, we will publish all of the contact details for services on the day.

What to expect

Welcome to the club

Welcome to the exclusive 500 club, for those who smash the minimum sponsorship target for an event and go on to raise over £500.

Your fundraising will make a significant difference to the BHF as we continue our fight against heart disease. The BHF currently supports 2,500 healthcare professionals working with people affected by cardiovascular disease, funding over 1,100 research projects to help us reach our ultimate goal – the end of heart disease and to the devastation it causes.

If you have £500 or more (excluding GiftAid) pledged by your supporters on your JustGiving page firstly congratulations you are amazing! You'll now be eligible to join the 500 Club and receive your exclusive BHF jersey

For teams to be eligible there must be at least £500 or more (excluding Gift Aid) pledged per person, along with the names of all eligible entrants showing on the team fundraising page and each individual needs to fill in a separate form in each case to claim the 500 club jersey.

(E.g A team of 4 would need a minimum of £2000 (exc Gift Aid) pledged on their team page)

Fight for every heartbeat

British Heart Foundation is a registered Charity No. 225971. Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 699547. Registered office at Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW. Registered as a Charity in Scotland No. SC039426

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